The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-15


themselves. Their terror of being aban
doncd outweighcd all their other fears
Gottfrey stopped over night at road
side inns, leaving the wagon in the yard,
and John clambcred down, when all was
still, and found some turnips in a
neighboring field, which kept the little
wanderers from actual starvation.
On the morning of the third day,
Gottfrey started long before light, and
at dawn drove into wide enclosure, in
which were great houses made of canvas.
The end had come! Now they could
show themselves. He would be angry,
perhaps. But he would not leave them |!
He would take them home!
He embarrassed the mules and led
them away, as they supposed to feed
them. Then he would return to unload
the corn, and would find them.
When he reached the gate, they saw
him stop and parley for some time with
a couple of men; then mounting one of
the mules he rode away.
The children waited, afraid to speak
lest the men in the field should discover
them. Maria began to sob. She was
weak from long fasting, and for the first
time in her life she was untidy and un-
washed. The neat little Moravian
loathed herself.
Look here!" cried John, peeping out
through the sacks. Ou. of one of the
tents came man striped from head to
foot like a zebra, another in purple vel
vet and spangles, and fairy with fut-
tering gauze wings. Maria had never
heard of fairies. She had never heard
or read of anything which could explain
these monsters.
A minute later, man carrying a great
basket of raw beef went into one of the
tents, and there came from the inside
furious growls, yclps, and last, the roal
of lion.
Johns red face turned to pasty color.
He shook as if the beasts had him in
their jaws, and opening his mouth,
uttered shrill shrieks. Maria, without
word, got up, and catching him by the
shoulder dragged him down from the
wagon, towards the gate. 1t was then
that she showed that there was good
stuff in her.
"Hush!" she said. 'Come out Of
this. am going home"
Just then the flap of another tent
lifted, and two moving mountains d
flesh came out, and advanced towards
her. The girl had never seen even the
picture of an elephant. She stood still,
as if paralyzed, in front Of them.
"Tm going home," she mechanically
repeated, looking up at them. Some Of
the men dragged her out of the path.
"Who are you9 Where did you com,
from9" they asked.
John was too frightened to speak
"Wc came on Gottfrey Sohner's wagon
said Maria, her round eyes still fixed OF
the elephants.
''The Dutchman who brought tn,
corn2" said one of the men. "Why die
you stay behind him3 He has gon
home long ago.
John gave cry of despair, and tn
poor girl sank as if she had been shot
Hunger and terror, with this last blow
had crushed her stout little heart at last
The children were in circus and men
agerie to which Sohner, by previou
agreement had brought his corn AM
oats.
Some of the women took Marie t.
their tent and put her to bed. They fe,
her and nursed her tenderly all day
They gave John some work among tn
horses, for doing which he received hi
meals. The two children were kindl
treated and even petted by all the queer
half wild people of the circus The poo
girls who rode on the barebacked horse
in robes of tulle, ran in between tn
acts to see if Marie had eaten her sou
and to pat her stout shoulders and mo-
kindly to her.
The next morning the manager sen
for the children.
"Sohner," he said, 'left his wago
for us to bring with us. We 60 t
Easton next Week. Will you wait AM
go with us7 We shall pass throug
your village. Or shall we send you di
rectly homei If you stay, these ladie
will take good care of the little girl"
1t was Maria, as usual, who spoke
, "We'll go home. please. The ladie
| are very kind. Butt want mother,
and she began to sob.
The bare backed rider looked at th
clown, who jerked off his cap edge
with bells, and passed it round. Th
silver pieces jingled in it, until ther
was just enoughto pay for the children
fare in the wagon which ran once
+ week from Philadelphia up the Lehig
, Valley. They started that very night
7 loaded with little gifts and provision
for the journey.
Years passed before John and Mari
were forgiven by the good Moraviar
; for their freak. They were regarded q
! dangerous characters for long time
! though, indeed, they had never been S
humble and dutiful at heart as they bt
came after this terrible adventure.
In process Of time they grew up an
] were married. John became a mission
| arv hut died in n wear after their wee